Nameri Birding

Nameri birding takes place in Nameri National Park in Assam, on the Jia Bhoroli River, in foothill forest at the edge of the Eastern Himalayas. The park is a mix of semi evergreen forest, grassland and riverine habitat, with the river forming a central feature for birding. Nameri is quieter than Kaziranga, and it rewards slow river and forest birding rather than a fast vehicle safari.

The star bird is the white winged wood duck, one of the world’s rarest ducks, found on forest pools and quiet river backwaters in Nameri. Around it are great hornbill, wreathed hornbill, rufous necked hornbill, Oriental pied hornbill, ibisbill on river shingle in winter, and a long list of forest birds, including barbets, broadbills, flycatchers and warblers. River walks add kingfishers, forktails, wagtails and waterbirds, and the forest edge adds raptors and mixed flocks.

Nameri birding suits birders who want a rare duck and hornbills in one place, photographers who want river and forest birds in good light, and travellers combining Assam birding with Kaziranga. It pairs with Kaziranga for grassland and wetland birds, and with Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills for a full Northeast circuit. Two mornings, one for river birds and one for forest birds, give a much better list than a single short visit.